Gearing up for the General Assembly to get down to business, state lawmakers from Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties head to Raleigh as a predominantly Republican delegation in a Republican-controlled Legislature with a Republican governor.

It’s an historic time with Republicans controlling both houses of the Legislature and holding the Governor’s Mansion for the first time since 1870.

North Carolinians could see historic changes if lawmakers and the governor tackle topics Republicans have been talking about to create jobs and boost the economy:

--Tax overhaul — cut personal and corporate income taxes, but beware of a services tax.

--Natural gas exploration — open the way for fracking.

--Regulation reduction — a sure boost for the economy.

Also on the table:

--How to handle Obamacare

--Voter ID

--Education reform

--Infrastructure upgrade and repair

--Repaying nearly $3 million borrowed from the feds to pay unemployment benefits.

Interestingly, both members of the N.C. House representing Lenoir and Greene counties — Republican John Bell of the 10th District and George Graham of the 12th District, one of two Democrats among the six legislators from our area — are rookies. What kind of mark each will make in a first term that promises to be tumultuous remains to be seen; but if their goal was to serve in interesting times, they’ve already arrived.

All three House members from local districts have seats on the important Appropriations Committee, where Rep. Pat McElraft, a Republican entering her four term in a district that includes Jones County, is one of several vice-chairs. Graham also has a place on the Agriculture Committee, important in his rural district; and Bell is on the Homeland Security, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, another significant appointment in an area rich with veterans and the influence of major military installations.

Louis Pate, Lenoir County’s Republican senator, co-chairs two committees that could figure into the debate over Obamacare’s requirements — Health Care and Appropriations on Health and Human Services. He’s joined on Health Care by Sen. Don Davis, the Democrat whose district includes Greene and a portion of Lenoir. Sen. Ed Brown, the Republican whose district includes Jones, has a choice assignment as co-chair of the Base Budget Committee.

The Free Press will help readers follow the debate, the votes and the actions of the area’s delegations, but we urge residents to try to influence as much as follow by communicating with members of their delegation. Ask anyone who is serving or who has served in Raleigh and you will find that voices from home — the voices of voters — ring loudest in the ears of politicians.

During the session, The Free Press will routinely a list of our elected officials in Raleigh and how to get in touch with them. The contact information will also be available on Kinston.com.

Good communication gives lawmakers first-hand knowledge of how legislation impacts people and can help them avoid unintended consequences.

Likewise, we urge lawmakers to be diligent about communicating with the folks back home, not simply supplying a litany of activities and votes, but seeking to understand how government intersects with the lives of citizens and how that intersection can both help and harm individuals